Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-10-07


That day was Saturday, and it was for THIS
night that the appointment with Luvelsah
was made at Larouettes cottage, IN VINO
d'Avray, which Roger had rented some days
before. Everything had remained Just as IL
was the day OF the murder Nothing was
changed, and Roger was obliged to be there
punctual to his appointment TO make an
effort to discoy ar the real assassin in order 10
clear his own nnmc.
Suzanne, the doctor said, was now out Oh
danger, and Roger left her in his charge ana
that of the nurse for the night, and she
seemed to DO so well that he had no fear
Roger had written Tristot and Pivolot TO
come there as early as O'Clock, and they,
acting on his orders, induced NJ Lacroix anu
III, De Iignerolles to accompany them. Inc
latter, though not knowing what they were
wanted for, were both on hand at the
hour appointed, and were taken at once
to a room adjoining the one where
ROGER intended to receive LuyeISan anu
where Larouette had been killed. IrftoS
took the lead, and somehow managed to make
those two men, usually so positive ana opin,
ionated. accept their demand that they shouTu
wait there, and promised they should see
something worth all their pains. They were
duly introduced to Mr. William Forney' ana
found him a pleasant gentleman, though
little mysterious in wishing them TO come
hero in so peculiar manner, but they were
sufficiently curious TO await the scene pre-
pared for them.
II was about O'Clock when Luvorsan de-
scentled from tho train aud took ms way
along the street towards the cottage, aud lie
looked nervously about him and felt reas-
s,Ired as no saw none but strange faces.
He went slowly along the street until
he came to the cottage, and there, IN spite
of nil he could do, be slipped to the
darkest side and kept as much as pos
sible under the shadow Of those same trees
which had sheltered him before. In spite oil
all he could do he was afraid.
But he knew what was at stake and he
went TO the door this time, as he had not
done before, and rang the bell. Roger him
self opened it, saying carelessly:
Excuse me. | have no servants yet, ex-
cent Mother Dondaine, who cooks and man
ages for me for the present"
Luversan gave bis hand to Roger, who
noticed that il was cold and damp, and that
he shivered, though tho night was worm.
aAre you illln said Roger.
aNo. l walked rapidly; that is ALL"
They went up the few steps leading to the
little sitting room, and though Luversan tried
70 smile, 1t was more Of a grimace that dis
figured his features, and his breathing seemed
oppressed as they entered the fatal room, and
Idlversan made gesture Of horror as he
roticed everything as they had been fixed in
lis memory for ten years.
eComo in, come in, said Roger. at is not
very pleasant here, but it is odd, and therefore
ploases me. took it because ! heard there
vas a ghost, but there isn't after all. Here is
the very room and there beside that secretary
the spot where the old man they tell us OF
was murdered, and they found bis body right
there where you stand"
huversan stepped back quickly and looked
mechanically on the floor, saying hoarsely
as that blood?"
aNo. nc" replied Roger "The fools washed
'.hat up. wish they had left it. But you
appear uneasy. Don't you like the placer
ut is not that; it is that what you are about
20 answer me is of such mighty Importance
that am anxious"
"Oh, yes; well, thab is grave, very grave,
and am very sorry-yes, really sorry
@What, you refuse"
SWep. no; not exactly 1 don't exactly re
fuse, but am not quite ready to accept,
either. l will tell you. l understand you
need million. Well, yesterday / went to
Paris to get it, but my bankers who hold my
funds persuaded me to tell why wanted it,
and they objected go strenuously that / could
not get all | wished; and though happened
TO have disposable some 10000 or OOO,OOO
francs, / have not all, and that is why am
perplexed. OF course, as soon as l could send
to New York l could let you have the whole,
but that takes so long"
+ Luversan began to plead and argue aud
try to persuade Roger that he could easily
borrow the rest and let him have it in the
morning, but Roger said he never borrowsC
and that was out of the question
al don't contradict you." he said; al NIGH
borrow it, but l won't have here some
where near 100000, but that is Of no use tc
YOU, and so | will keep it." And saying this
he partly opened the old secretary, letting
Luversan see the rolls and packages of money
and his eyes glittered as he looked upon them
@If had that, would leave the country,
he thought, Hand go to New York, and in G
few years l could make an enormous for
tune
But Roger would no. let him have the
81, 900, OO0, nor any part of it, and finally
Luversan, pale with rage, left the house, ant
Roger closed the door upon him and theI
he went back upstairs and opened tho win
dow where Luversan had entered before, ant
turned the light down little and then car
ried something heavy and awkward to thu
| r. al. .
| rejoined the four men in the next room.
But an bonr later they heard slight nois
and saw Luversan creeping along toward tn
house, always under the shadow of the trees
from the side nearest the Villa Montalais, ant
saw I'm glide from one shadow to another
saw him reach the grating, by which he coul,
climb to the window, and grasp the bars anc
softly mount until he reached the sill ant
then step over and into the room and cree
softly, slowly toward the secretary, wher
William Forney sat with his head bowe,
upon his folded arms and fast asleep. II
must have been asleep, as he did not hear, no
lift his head, and the draft from the ope
window flckered the light little and LITE
a lock Of that snow white hair.
Luversan held in his right hand long an
buaTp pOlBudIui anu ~ hS uuNuilCcu ~ lilVe'
it high in the dir and brought IL down wit
all his might upon the middle of tho back @
the sleeping man, who moved but slight
under tho shock Luyersan drew the knit
out to strike again, andh struck ten, twent
times in an access of fury, and when he wa
tired he coolly drew the horrible Knife on
again, as il to wipe off the blood. His fac
blanched, and his hair rose, and his eyes Ii
orally started from his head-there was II
blood on it!
At this instant he felt heavy hand ia
upon his shoulder, and instantly he fouh
himself surrounded by five men, among thel
the very man he had supposed dead under b
assassin's knife. -- tt.
While they stood thus, each man silent, nj
knowing just what move to make next, CT
so piercing, so loud and prolonged, a woman
scream that ended in a ghostly wall rang OF
through the silence of the night, and the sour
came from the balcony OF the house Rog,
Laroque had inhabited with his family, al
this cry was only one word:
"Rogeri=
Every one shuddered at this ghostly wal
and Luversan said: 2 70
, u am lost, lost!'
, "Luversan," said Roger, Sthe only thir
: shat will save you is a confession"
HConfessl What have to contest "
saw all,p 49,. b..
ut does not relate to this crime attempt
on me, but another one" g.. 7 n
; 81 do not understand You" -